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Gratitude Lounge

Welcome to our community space to support and celebrate Grateful Living. Please consider reflecting on questions such as these: What am I grateful for? How does gratefulness enrich my life, my community, the world? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? You are welcome to include images and videos to illustrate your reflections…

I had an endeavor day in the kitchen of working with all kinds of rescue vegetables and trying out a new type of wheat for a 100% sourdough loaf! I took a delicious nap, which put me in a bit of a fog – so I took my foggy self out with Jack bear to the visit the woods. It was just defogging and joyful. For some reason, I choose to sit with Jack bear on the ground for a bit before we got in the car. It happened – a coyote ran right by us. From my understanding they are a symbo...

I had an endeavor day in the kitchen of working with all kinds of rescue vegetables and trying out a new type of wheat for a 100% sourdough loaf! I took a delicious nap, which put me in a bit of a fog – so I took my foggy self out with Jack bear to the visit the woods. It was just defogging and joyful. For some reason, I choose to sit with Jack bear on the ground for a bit before we got in the car. It happened – a coyote ran right by us. From my understanding they are a symbol of the jokester – but I am not so sure. I don’t feel like I am being laughed at when in their presence – I feel awestruck, a bit beamish. And yesterday afternoon, I enjoyed a viewing of three peregrine falcons soaring about in the sky and pregnant mamma junco bird gobbling up worms from my front yard – I hope I get to enjoy another year of baby birds in my bird house 🙂

I watched Before the Flood last night. There is a lot I was aware of, but it brought me to Layne’s post on making this world a brighter place. One little thing every day or every few moments has such a pantagruelian impact for our beautiful world and people.

Just beautiful THenry, thank you! I was having a similar conversation with myself in the woods when my brain wanted to stay stuck on something that bothered me….. Life is much, much too short – I hope you have abundant cherished treasures in each moment <3

Today I am grateful for the vernal equinox, beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere of our beautiful planet spinning in space. I share a photo of an early blooming wildflower found yesterday in the appalachian hollow where I live. The flower is called, appropriately, spring beauty. Blessings to all who visit here.

So good to see you! I was just thinking about you and wondering how you are!

I must admit your picture brought a lump to my throat and a few tears to my eyes. I do miss those mountains and the array of wildflowers that were just waiting to be discovered. One memorable hike we came across a whole hillside of pink lady slipper orchids — so lovely!

After a particularly rough time at his previous job, my husband and I got to spend about a month on top of a mountain in West Vir...

So good to see you! I was just thinking about you and wondering how you are!

I must admit your picture brought a lump to my throat and a few tears to my eyes. I do miss those mountains and the array of wildflowers that were just waiting to be discovered. One memorable hike we came across a whole hillside of pink lady slipper orchids — so lovely!

After a particularly rough time at his previous job, my husband and I got to spend about a month on top of a mountain in West Virginia recovering as he was to transition to his new company when the time was up. This was. during the time of winter’s season giving way to spring, and watching that transformation in nature at a time when our emotions mirrored those processes was a deep and abiding gift.

Did you get to do a Skunk Cabbage hunt earlier in the season? That is the first to “bloom” I think, though its blooms do not look like blooms in the traditional petaled sense of the word.

I noticed as I fed the chickens and swept the deck that the lonicera frangrantissima is in bud. A few more warm days, and it will be in bloom, too.

Spring really is here, despite how it might look for some of our New England-ish members. (As I recall, New Jersey is technically Mid-Atlantic, but it’s really kind of a mix weather wise, I think.)

We’re hosting a 21 day Global Love Day challenge over at Kindspring next month, starting 11th April. It’s free and all are welcome to take part. The challenge consists of a short meditation focussed on the day’s intention with the aim of spreading a little more loving-kindness and Light around the globe. I hope that you can join us.
http://www.kindspring.org/challenge/join/1625/

Dear souls, I must share with you a magical moment that happened after acupuncture Friday.

We headed down to pick up our yummy Vietnamese lunch to go eat in the park by the water. There were no easily convenient parking spaces, and my husband muttered a little.

I said, “Oh, don’t worry! Wonderful things are about to happen!”

We shortly found a parking space not too awful far away, and off we went to the park.

When we got there, I noticed a wom...

Dear souls, I must share with you a magical moment that happened after acupuncture Friday.

We headed down to pick up our yummy Vietnamese lunch to go eat in the park by the water. There were no easily convenient parking spaces, and my husband muttered a little.

I said, “Oh, don’t worry! Wonderful things are about to happen!”

We shortly found a parking space not too awful far away, and off we went to the park.

When we got there, I noticed a woman about fifty feet away or so with a violin and some other instrument bags. As we got settled with our lunch, she began to play. I rolled down the window to listen.

Through most of our lunch, she played an assortment of Celtic songs, then practiced a bit of Irish dance. My guess is that she was practicing for the St. Patrick’s Day event at the local theatre the next night.

What a magical gift to have her lovely music joining with the songs of the wind, waves, and seabirds as a great symphony backdrop for our lunch! The sunlight danced on the water in time, and all the world twirled in unison.

Dear friends…it is late and I am tired but I have you all on my heart and wanted to tell you so. 🙂
Life has been happening. Such much to be grateful for.
For now I will say good night and sweet dreams.

Such a treat in my day to read all your beautiful words – thank you darling friends <3

I am grateful for snow boots. They were a hygge for my tosies as I shoveled snow 🙂 Grateful for an indulgent box of mac and cheese, which I shared with Jack bear – me thinks he is pretty grateful too 😉

Grateful to enjoy a nap in short – and to enjoy a weekend with no set plans, except to get outdoors and have dinner with my beautiful sister tonight!

Grateful for...

Such a treat in my day to read all your beautiful words – thank you darling friends <3

I am grateful for snow boots. They were a hygge for my tosies as I shoveled snow 🙂 Grateful for an indulgent box of mac and cheese, which I shared with Jack bear – me thinks he is pretty grateful too 😉

Grateful to enjoy a nap in short – and to enjoy a weekend with no set plans, except to get outdoors and have dinner with my beautiful sister tonight!

Grateful for this cut in my finger, which I got from being unmindful washing dishes and broke one of my plates – mighty strength when not mindful (I am full of giggles!)

If you read this, I'd love to hear about your favorite color (or many) and why?

Dear Manda, Your posts always make me smile. You bring warmth and love to this group of friends, old and new.
My favorite colors are cobalt blue and forest green. As I walk the wood, the green speaks to me of peace, new life, a home for all creatures, great and small. The cobalt blue sky tells me that this is a new day, with new possibilities.
mmmmm, Mac & cheese…yummy
How did your interview/meeting go with the city counsel? Fingers crossed.
Sending you and...

Dear Manda, Your posts always make me smile. You bring warmth and love to this group of friends, old and new.
My favorite colors are cobalt blue and forest green. As I walk the wood, the green speaks to me of peace, new life, a home for all creatures, great and small. The cobalt blue sky tells me that this is a new day, with new possibilities.
mmmmm, Mac & cheese…yummy
How did your interview/meeting go with the city counsel? Fingers crossed.
Sending you and Jack Bear love and hugs.
❤️🐶

These are just lovely colors THenry! I just read about green when researching persian rugs and green was considered a sacred color – to receive a rug with this color in it was an honor. I feel my interview went well, thank you for your lovely thoughtfulness!🙂 We are sending love back to you dear friend <3

Good morning Manda! Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend minus your cut finger. Well when it comes to favorite colors, I have many for different reasons…..green for all the beauty in nature about to spring into life, pink to wear and also for Breast Cancer Awareness, reds, pale yellow but I usually gravitate to some shade of blue for my wardrobe. What is your favorite color? Or do I remember that it is sunshiney yellow? I can’t wait to hear news of job offers to you. Anyone would be fo...

Good morning Manda! Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend minus your cut finger. Well when it comes to favorite colors, I have many for different reasons…..green for all the beauty in nature about to spring into life, pink to wear and also for Breast Cancer Awareness, reds, pale yellow but I usually gravitate to some shade of blue for my wardrobe. What is your favorite color? Or do I remember that it is sunshiney yellow? I can’t wait to hear news of job offers to you. Anyone would be foolish not to hire such a breath of fresh air to have around the workplace. Big hugs to you and your sweet Jack bear and I hope you have a week filled with wonderful simple pleasures ❤️😊🌸

.Sweet Nancy, thank you! You share in green with THenry and colors that honor a good cause are always a treat. My favorite color is the color of sunshine glittering through the trees, like magical fairy dust as she kisses the earth goodnight. I also am fond of green, turquoise, magenta, and cerulean blue. I even love the color of dark, rich mud – an earthy brown of earth roots dancing on my feet. Thank you for your kind words and enthusiastic rooting! Much love to you darling friend a...

.Sweet Nancy, thank you! You share in green with THenry and colors that honor a good cause are always a treat. My favorite color is the color of sunshine glittering through the trees, like magical fairy dust as she kisses the earth goodnight. I also am fond of green, turquoise, magenta, and cerulean blue. I even love the color of dark, rich mud – an earthy brown of earth roots dancing on my feet. Thank you for your kind words and enthusiastic rooting! Much love to you darling friend and may your week be full of abundant pleasures <3

I am partial to jewel tones, deep vibrant wine, purple, emerald, sapphire, but I also love the myriad shades of green and blue in nature. And what poetic perfection is a golden field layered across the landscape with the green of trees behind and the brilliant blue sky with puffy clouds above?

I also love contrast, how the lighter shades of yellow, cream, and white act as counterpoint to bring out the best in other colors. But then black also offers a punch of contrast, and I love bl...

I am partial to jewel tones, deep vibrant wine, purple, emerald, sapphire, but I also love the myriad shades of green and blue in nature. And what poetic perfection is a golden field layered across the landscape with the green of trees behind and the brilliant blue sky with puffy clouds above?

I also love contrast, how the lighter shades of yellow, cream, and white act as counterpoint to bring out the best in other colors. But then black also offers a punch of contrast, and I love black on animals — the shiny gleam of a Labrador’s fur, the sleekness of a black cat, the eyecatching contrast of black on tan or white!

No one color can stand alone. Even the primary colors seem to be shades comprised of themselves in some way. Great question!

Aine, these are splendid colors and I imagine look stunning on you as well as can feel your loving endearments you must feel when they are in your day. And yes the puffy clouds outlined by brilliant blue is a magnificent treat. Jack bear’s black and white coat, with a skunk tail, one side black whiskers, the other white, a splash of black freckles on his white socked legs, and his distinguished white eyebrows and facial area are colors of joy to me. Lots of love dear friend to you an...

Aine, these are splendid colors and I imagine look stunning on you as well as can feel your loving endearments you must feel when they are in your day. And yes the puffy clouds outlined by brilliant blue is a magnificent treat. Jack bear’s black and white coat, with a skunk tail, one side black whiskers, the other white, a splash of black freckles on his white socked legs, and his distinguished white eyebrows and facial area are colors of joy to me. Lots of love dear friend to you and your farm <3

Dear Manda, it is always a pleasure to read your posts! I don’t know which colour I love. If I think of my dresses, I don’t like red, yet in my home I have a lot of red, on the sofa, the carpets, pillows, and I love that. If I think of nature, I love yellow and violet tones, but a
lso green. Oh our beloved rainbow!!! Every colour has a meaning, and is part of the light, together with the others.

Yes, our beloved rainbow cara Anna is such a merriment to the eyes. I used to have a red sofa and it is a strong color. Every color indeed has meaning to each of us- how lovely a thought this is! Much love dear friend <3

So nice to read your post, Manda! My #1 favorite color has always been blue, all shades of blue. It reminds me of the sky and the water, it is a color I have always been able to wear, and there is a lot of it in my home decor. I notice in the last few years how much I am also loving green, and now some yellows. Green says “life” to me, and reminds me of my Irish heritage; speaks to me from the trees and other leaves, the grass, and along with yellow is a happy color to me. I can...

So nice to read your post, Manda! My #1 favorite color has always been blue, all shades of blue. It reminds me of the sky and the water, it is a color I have always been able to wear, and there is a lot of it in my home decor. I notice in the last few years how much I am also loving green, and now some yellows. Green says “life” to me, and reminds me of my Irish heritage; speaks to me from the trees and other leaves, the grass, and along with yellow is a happy color to me. I can’t wear yellow very well, with my skin tone, but can wear greens with a blue tone. These days, I am also intrigued by orange (pumpkins! wildflowers!). So it seems I am noticing and appreciating more colors, maybe because I’m retired and paying a little more attention. Thanks for the question 🙂

So wonderful to read yours too dear Pilgrim! Blue is a beautiful color and I imagine you wear it well 🙂 Yes, green a symbol of life and my Irish heritage too. Pumpkins – how I forgot about those darling wrinkly thick-fleshed cuties – yes, I love their color! Lots of love sweet friend <3

I am grateful for the life that is God in me, through me and with me today. I am grateful for the life that inhales ad exhales hope. I am grateful for the gift of finding you today and allowing myself to be found in this place of silence and oneness in Love.

Your first violets ❤️ 😊Thank you for sharing Anna. I have violas that come up voluntarily in my yard and have for the past few years. They are so sweet and delicate yet they can weather the snow here. With love to you 🌸

Yes Palm, it is moss, because this beech is north oriented. I love this beech. It is in front of my bedroom and in summer it is extraordinary, with its dark red leaves. I open my windows and my heart is full of gratitude feeelings and of a spontaneously grateful prayer.

Ah, the blessing of acupuncture today! So thankful to have a wonderful acupuncturist now who is helping me heal. She is so encouraging, even when I have my days of struggle.

Acupuncturists vary like everything else — I have had two fantastic and gifted acupuncturists and two who helped some but could not achieve the results of the wonderful ones. I am continually grateful for my current practitioner. I would not have made it without her help!

Tomorrow we have book group,...

Ah, the blessing of acupuncture today! So thankful to have a wonderful acupuncturist now who is helping me heal. She is so encouraging, even when I have my days of struggle.

Acupuncturists vary like everything else — I have had two fantastic and gifted acupuncturists and two who helped some but could not achieve the results of the wonderful ones. I am continually grateful for my current practitioner. I would not have made it without her help!

Tomorrow we have book group, doing the next chapters in The Untethered Soul. It is such a blessing to gather with like spirited people on the journey of self compassion together. We all need safe spaces!

I am also grateful for being in this unknowing time to let me practice being curious rather than anxious. Newsflash! Maybe, just maybe, I am not responsible to keep my world running the way I think it ought to…there is more ease in allowing things to unfold, though I admit this is not my strong suit!

And to Pilgrim…I shall wave westward at you in spirit across the Lake this afternoon from the park by the water! 😌

Dear Aine – I hope you found much relief with your acupuncture session. It is so wonderful when we find the right practitioner to help us with our physical struggles. I feel that way about my massage therapist who I get to see next Friday. I can’t wait! I hope you enjoyed your gathering with your book group. It is a real blessing to find like spirited others to share with. Many blessings to you.

Hi Aine, I am waving back! After a medical scan this morning, I took full advantage of the sunshine to run errands the rest of the day. I even had my car washed – what a mud-spattered disaster it was! Now rocking in my chair with the heating pad on my back. Be well, friend, and enjoy your book group tomorrow 🙂

Good morning, friends. Grateful for a new day and the sun shining, announcing spring. All good vibes on it´s way!

Grateful for being refreshed after a really exhausting day yesterday. Sleep is such a gift to find new strength!
My computer crashed, and the needed cold start caused trouble with an important tool on it, which I need for work and which left me in despair for a while. Fortunately but surprisingly, it was solved quickly. I was so grateful, and it was such a relief! Th...

Good morning, friends. Grateful for a new day and the sun shining, announcing spring. All good vibes on it´s way!

Grateful for being refreshed after a really exhausting day yesterday. Sleep is such a gift to find new strength!
My computer crashed, and the needed cold start caused trouble with an important tool on it, which I need for work and which left me in despair for a while. Fortunately but surprisingly, it was solved quickly. I was so grateful, and it was such a relief! There were several important things to solve on this one day, and finally, all went well.

So I am looking forward to meeting people, daily situations, challenges and ideas during the day to come. And to the relaxing time during the weekend ahead 🙂 Have a good day, you all who share here!

Dear Ose, I share in the joy of refreshing rest! My nights have been a little less than usual but how I am enjoying naps 🙂 I am happy your technology situation was solved in a jiffy – indeed a relief! Lots of love <3

I thought of you dear Ose, when I watched somebody speaking today saying that when incidents like that happen, there may be something we needed to learn from the experience (?) I am glad it was all solved though

As a computer aside, Ose, do you know that computers actually need to be shut down each night rather than being just put on sleep or left to go blank on their own? There are a host of processes that go on in the background on start up that help keep the system running more smoothly. My computer engineer husband taught me this, so our computers regularly get their eight hours. Lol

Came here to activate that within me that seeks the light amidst a current journey of great darkness, pain and discovery. These are times when the presence of gratefulness/gratitude or lack of can and probably will alter which path i choose

I’m late to the party but wanted to join in with all the other beautiful souls here and say welcome Kirk….so glad you found us! May you be guided and hear that small still voice within you as your travel on your journey from the shadows and into the light.
And I agree with your insight that the presence of gratitude does make a difference.

Welcome, Kirk! I think our journeys of darkness and pain are what push us to seek the light, to keep going in the direction we have chosen even when the day to day of it is rocky and challenging. It is a process, and processes take time.

One of the things that helped me during a similar time was when a counselor friend told me, “There’s no going back. Everything has changed now.” In time I realized she was right, that there was nothing to go back to, even had I thoug...

Welcome, Kirk! I think our journeys of darkness and pain are what push us to seek the light, to keep going in the direction we have chosen even when the day to day of it is rocky and challenging. It is a process, and processes take time.

One of the things that helped me during a similar time was when a counselor friend told me, “There’s no going back. Everything has changed now.” In time I realized she was right, that there was nothing to go back to, even had I thought I wanted to.

Each moment we move forward is another step in the right direction. The key us to keep stepping.

Welcome Kirk, you will find friendship and support here. Good folks from around the world. Although we come from far and wide, we share some common feelings toward one another, mankind, nature, and this sometimes crazy world we live in. None of us all the answers, but by sharing our darkness and our moments of light, we find comfort and support in the knowledge that at the end of the day, we are more alike than we are different.
Hoping you can find the light you seek.

Welcome Kirk. I hope your current journey of great darkness sees the light very soon. My grandma always said it is darkest before the dawn. This, too, shall pass. My greatest growth has occurred during my darkest hours. I hope you are able to find some peace and many simple pleasure to enjoy during your season of darkness 🌸

I have very much been enjoying the Science of Happiness Course through edX and the Greater Good Science Center folks.

An added blessing has been finding new voices in topics I love. One of these is Jack Kornfield, especially the Forgiveness Meditation that I am attaching here. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/video/item/forgiveness_meditation

The exercise of this brought tears and release, so powerful. The interesting thing was that my reactions to various parts of it were dif...

I have very much been enjoying the Science of Happiness Course through edX and the Greater Good Science Center folks.

An added blessing has been finding new voices in topics I love. One of these is Jack Kornfield, especially the Forgiveness Meditation that I am attaching here. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/video/item/forgiveness_meditation

The exercise of this brought tears and release, so powerful. The interesting thing was that my reactions to various parts of it were different than I would have anticipated had I been asked to guess them before I started it. That, in itself, taught me something powerful and necessary.

There is also a series of video clips from a discussion between Jack Kornfield and Brother David at a Summit they had a few years ago. Such wisdom and gentleness!

Two sideways trees and a flock of gravity defying chickens, also sideways. I have NO idea why the system turns them sideways on the computer but not on the iPad.

Ah, well, I suppose it is one of the mysteries of the universe or something.

Tonight I am grateful for a nice chat with a dear woman, a friend of a friend who is becoming a friend to us, too. She owns four delightful Scotties who adore me…and vice versa. Her most standoffish one decided I was furniture the last ...

Two sideways trees and a flock of gravity defying chickens, also sideways. I have NO idea why the system turns them sideways on the computer but not on the iPad.

Ah, well, I suppose it is one of the mysteries of the universe or something.

Tonight I am grateful for a nice chat with a dear woman, a friend of a friend who is becoming a friend to us, too. She owns four delightful Scotties who adore me…and vice versa. Her most standoffish one decided I was furniture the last time I visited, much to her chagrin. He was NOT budging off my lap! Such a blessing to talk Dog with another dog addict.

I am grateful for the peace of this moment, feeling connected to you all by writing here, surrounded by my dogs and cat, all sacked out on the floor, hearing my husband in the other room, and looking forward to my nice bed and sleep. Small even mundane pleasures, but how rich they make our lives!

Many blessings to you all this night (or day). May your hearts be filled with joy and laughter.

Oh my…..so very true. It reminds of something I saw in print said by Jim Carrey “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” ❤️ Thank you for sharing – have a lovely day filled with wonderful simple pleasures 🌸

Good morning! I just wanted to say a little hello, as I’m new here. I’ve been touched by Br. David’s thought for some years now, but I didn’t realize what a lovely community there was here! I am very grateful to discover it. 😊 I hope everyone has a beautiful day today…Sending good wishes from southern Oregon 💛🌻🌞 ~Rachel